Aerating apparatus for fertilizer and the like



Jan. 21, 1936. A. J. sAcKl-:T'r

AERATING APPARATUS FOR FERTILIZER AND THE LIKE Filed July 6, 1954 Per'eufed Juu.21,1936 2,028,413A

"UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ics AERATING APPARATUS FOR FERTILIZER, AND 'THE LIKE Augustus J. sucked, Auue Arundel county, Ma. `Application July 6, 1934, Serial No. '134,004 1s claims. (ol. 34-34) The invention relates to the treatment of fertibination of superphosphate with anhydrous amlizer and other comminuted materials following monia or ammonia solutions, this valuable phycombination of the comminuted materials with sical characteristic is destroyed because the heat l active reagents. resulting in the generationof in the stored goods breaks down the granular 5 heat. vThe materials in the treatment of which structure into fines. Because thisv apparatus aer- 5 the apparatus has been used and in connection ates the ammoniated g-oods before being stored with which the apparatus and method of treatthereby materially reducing its temperature and ment have been developed` are fertilizer prodpreserving the physical structure of same, it adds ucts as ground phosphate rock and the like which a fundamental step in the manufacture vof a far l0 have been treated with anhydrous ammonia or superior product. This apparatus also exhausts 10 ammonia solutions in accordance with Patent No. the steam and'moisture caused by the heat from 1,960,030 and in other ways whereby the comthe building .and keeps moisture out of the minuted phosphate `rock which is first acidulated building. f are combined with anhydrous ammonia or am- The treatment which` constitutes the method monia solutions or other reagents. of invention consists in passing the comminuted 15 In the operation of the previous apparatus the material through an area in which it is .subcomminuted phosphate rock thus treated is .iected to a beating action in contact with the dropped on the floor in piles or stored in bins or air, the comminuted jmaterial being passed other suitable receptacles. The heat generated through the drum in'one direction and the air y keeps the material for a considerablelperlod at draft in the opposite direction. 2o

relatively high temperatures which have vbeen In accordance with the preferred form of the ascertained at from 180 te 210 degrees F., or apinvention the comminuted material is passed proximately these temperatures. vThis necessidownwardly through the apparatus by gravity, tates the storing of the material for ax consideraan air draft being drawn up through theapparal5 ble period in order that it may cool before it canV tus in any suitable manner as by means of fans 25 be shipped.v Also the heat of these high temperand/or convention, otherwise knownI as natural aturesl tends to destroy the chemical structure draft. Preferably the air is introduced into the so that some of it reverts to its original con-l apparatus at a series of zones spaced in the direcstituents, considerable portions of the ammonia tion of the progress of the material in the process "being lost, so that Athe material loses part of its of aeration and the material is beaten in such 30 fertilizer value. By treatment in' accordance with a way as to check its downward progress and the method and by and with the apparatus of the keep it in suspension, and alsor in such a way as present invention, the temperatures are immeto project it inwardly toward the center, whereby diatelyreduced by about to 50'degrees F. and adhesion of the comminuted solid to the walls of 35 may be so reduced as toI make immediate shipthe apparatusv is prevented and the entrance of 35 ment feasible. By a single treatment `in the air is facilitated. Both the apparatus and that present apparatus the cooling period necessary 0f my previous Patent 0n the Subject 0f mixing -to make shipment feasible is reduced by per ammonia and acidulated phosphate being incent. and the temperature to be lowered to a Y tended for continuous operation. The machines 4') point at which loss by reversible deterioration is may be placed in Series -to mix the material and 40 preventedthen aerate it, the material being passed directly The apparatus may also be used in cooling suas byv a conveyor or elevator fromv one to the perphosphate after it is acidulated and for creatother. y ing other material. -The present apparatus in accordance with the A very important function of this apparatus preferred form of the invention consists of a 45 is that it preserves the desirable granular strucdrum or tubular casing suitably supported with ture of vthe ammoniated, acidulated, vmore genits axis substantially upright. This apparatus is, erally referred to as ammoniated superphosphate. vprovided with a series of beater fans mounted Superphosphate when combined with anhyon a shaft which substantially coincides with i drous ammonia or ammonia solutions results in the axis of the drum, the beaters being spaced 50 a product having a granular structure which in-a vertical direction and the drum being promakes it free flowing and a product well liked vided with perforated portions between the beatby the trade because of its good drilling qualiers, the perforated portions being preferably proties. vided with vanes inclined outwardly and back- 7- 3 This valuable feature of the product, however, wardly as tothe .direction of rotation so that the 55 is being lost under present methods because the cooling air is drawn in by the beaters and passed goods after being ammoniated are stored without upwardly in' opposition to the progress of the any further treatment.. Heat destroys this struccomminuted material and the escape of the comture. By storing the ammoniated goods in piles minuted material is prevented. The progress of C0 at the high temperatures generated b y the lcoxnthe comminuted material is checked by the op- 60 the dwell of the material in the apparatus is pro-y longed to a predetermined degree sulcient to provide for the desired period of aeration.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus in the preferred form assembled for operation, a portion of the bottom being broken away and illustrated in section.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2, 2 in Figure 1 looking downwardly as indicated by the arrows.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, each of which is used to indicate the same or similar parts in the different figures, the apparatus as shown comprises an vupright tubular casing I, which as shown terminates at the top in a frustro conical cover or roof 2 from which an air discharge pipe 3 leads to the outside air or any suitable separator-not shown. As illustrated,

I the discharge pipe 3 as it leaves the casing or drum I, extendsv upward in a vertical direction for a few feet; at which point there is an elbow 4 and the remainder of the discharge pipe at 3 is disposed in a horizontal direction. This arrangement provides for the convenient installation of a fan 5 which as shown is mounted on a horizontal shaft 5, having bearings 5 and 5'. I'he fan is located in the horizontal portion 3' ofthe discharge pipe and varranged to accelerate the outgoing draft. 'Ihe fan as illustrated is driven by a pulley 1 on the shaft 5 which projects outwardly through the elbow as shown. The pulley is operated`by a belt 8, it being understood that,

any suitable'di'ive may be used. -The casing I the top by which the comminuted material already referred to is fed to the appara At the bottom the casing I is provided with a discharge chute I Il which is inclined to the side r and the casingfis provided with a central upright shaft II on which the beater or fan blades I2 are mounted and by which they are driven. This shaft II is provided with a suitable bearing I4 supported in the casing near the bottom and itis further enclosed within a tube I5 which extends downwardly throughfthe chute beneath the bearing protecting the lower portion of the shaft from the accumulation of material. This tube I5 is supported on the bottom lof the chute I0 which is apertured in alignment therewith, the

tube being secured to the bottomof`l the chute by welding or brazing in any suitable manner as illustrated at'IG. The beaters or sets of fan Y blades Itas-'shown are four innumber, each Y set beingbprovided with a hub I1 secured to the -shaft.' Each set as shown consisting of four or -any suitable number of rotating blades I3 inclined downwardly and forwardly in the direction of rotation as to the main portion of said blades at I9 which extends outward radially and the outer ends ofthe blades are turned forwardlyv at '2l at a sharp angle to thevradial portion I 9. The deflected ends 29 serve to draw the air supplv into the drums and to gather the material inwardly toward the center and prevent projection of the material outwardly byv centrifugal force, the main inclined portions I9 of the blades already described have vthe effect of raising the lmaterial so that it is suspended within the drum for a predetermined period dependent on the angle of the blades, the number of the blades and the speed of rotation. the period of Suspension,

i.- e., the period of the passage of the material downwardly through the apparatus being thus proportioned to give the desired period of treatment. The blades I2, as already'pointed out, are in four or anysuitable number of sets' 2|, 22, 23, 24, suitably spaced apart and the drum or tubular casing I includes a corresponding number of.-perforated zones 25, 26 and 21, one between each two adjacent sets of blades. In the Vform of the "invention shown these perforated zones 25, 26 and 21 are composed of Vanes 28 which form the walls of the tubular casing or drumas to these respective zones. 'Ihese blades arepreferably upright yor otherwise parallel to the axis and are spaced apart to provide air admission or inlet openings 29 through which air is drawn inwardly not only by the natural draft due to the heat of the material but by the draft fan 5 and the beater fans I2, the forwardly turned ends of which have a. strong tendency to accelerate the inward draft which is also accelerated by the upwardly projecting action of the forwardly and downwardly inclined portions of the blades at I9. The vanes 29 are preferablyinvclined backwardly and outwardly which is also forwardly and inwardly, the terms forward and baclgward havingreference to the direction of rotation of the blades I 2`which in the form of the invention shown is contra clockwise as seen ,from above.

This arrangement facilitates the entrance of the air and prevents the discharge through the air inlet openings 29 of the comminuted material being treated. y

Between the air inlet zones 25, 2621, the casing is,shown as provided'with imperforate zones orL rings 3II and 3|; The upper portion of the casing as shown, is also provided with a chute 9 near at 33 is also shown as imperforate and at the bottom beneath the lower perforatedzone 21 there is an inverted frusto conical portion or zone 34 whereby lthe material is discharged into the chute I9. 'I'his frusto conical portion or discharge 34 overlies or otherwise cooperates with th'e upwardlyidisposed open end 35 of the chute III which open end 35 is shown as .of considerably greater diameter than the lower end of the in'- verted frusto conical discharge 34 providing an annular opening 36 to admit air which is drawn downwardly and inwardly both by the suction of the beater fans I2, and by fan 5, and by the natural draft through the apparatus due to the heat of the material. A

In the operation of the apparatus the comminuted material to be aerated is 'fed by gravity or in any suitable vmanner through the chute 9 to the casing I. As already pointed out, lthe apparatus is-particularly adapted to the aeration and cooling of comminuted phosphate rock which has been acidulated and co/nrbined with anhydrous ammonia or ammonia, solutions in accordance with my Patent No. rnataoao, 'rms material is discharged from the? mixing apparatus at temperatures of apprdximatelylo to 210 degrees F. which tends todestroy the chemical structure and cause the reversion to a considerable extent with the. corresponding Aloss of fertilizer values This material must be cooled immediately after mixing to maintain the structureand prevent the loss i of part ofits active-elements. Also, it is not avail- I2 being rotated and the fan 5 being operated, air is drawn in through the air admission openings 29 composing the zones 25, 26, 21, alsoI through the air admission opening 36 at the botmaterial to be aerated, it is distributed over thel entire cross sectional area of the apparatus by the beater fans I2 and kept out of contact with the walls of the apparatus by the forwardly deflected beater ends 20. These beaters inclined downwardly and forwardly as aforesaid at I9 also have the effect of throwing the material upwardly as it encounters them wherebythe downward passage of the comminuted materialthrough the apparatus in opposition to the air draft is retarded, the material being suspended in the air so that it is completely aerated and retained in the apparatus for a period sufficient for the desired treatment, which period is determined by the number of beaters, the speed of rotation, the

incline of the beaters, the area of theair openings i and the amount of material fed. The desired period of treatment is ascertained by experiment so that itis adapted to the conditions to be met as the temperature of the material, its chemical constituents and the resulting temperature desired; It is found that by a single treatment in the apparatus the time required for cooling from the temperatures given to a normal temperature of 80 to 100 degrees F. or thereabouts can be cut n in halves, i. e., reduced fifty per cent, and by further treatment or adjustment of the apparatus as aforesaid, any desired degree of` cooling can be I have thus described specifically and in detailV a single embodiment ofthe apparatus of the invention, and also the method of treating the fertilizer which is practiced in connection with this apparatus, the description being specific and in detail in order that the manner of constructing, operating, applying and usi/ng the invention may be fully understood, however, the specific terms herein are used .descriptively rather than in a limiting sense, the scope of theinvention being defined in the c'aims.

- What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The method of cooling and aerating comminuted fertilizer materials and thek like after chemical combination thereof which consists in passing the comminuted soid materials in la continuous stream downwardly, successively retarding the downward passage of the comminuted solid by rotating and beating and tossing portions of` the material upwardly and gathering the same into cyclonic form, introducing air in the direction of rotation and into the path ofthe comvminulted solids and passing the air upwardly in the opposite direction to the passage of the comminuted solids, the time of passage of the solidsA determined to give the desired degree of cooling and aeration.

2. The method of cooling land aerating comminuted fertilizer materials and the like after chemical combination thereof which consists in passing the comminuted solid materials in a continuous stream downwardly, successivey retarding the downward passage of the comminuted solid by rotating and beating and'tossing portions of the material upwardly' at intervals, and gathering the same into cyclonic form introducing air into the path ,of the comminuted solids substantially around the periphery of the same at successive points spacedalong its path and passing the air upwardly in the opposite direction to the passage of the comminuted solids, thetime of passage of the solids and the amount and` speed of the 'air draft being determined to give the desired degree of cooling and aeration,

3. In anv apparatus for aerating and cooling comminuted solids, an upright casing having air inlet lopenings spaced downwardly from the top of the casing, means, for feeding the material to the top and discharging it at the bottom, rotary beaters in said casing, spaced in the direction of its length and 'having blades transversely inclined forwardly and downwardly in the direction of rotation so that they tend to retard the passageV of the material through the casing, the respective air` inlet yopenings being located adjacent some lof the respective beaters so that the beaters serve to draw the air inwardly and force it upwardly through the comminuted material in opposition to the general direction of motion of the same.

4. In an apparatus for aerating and. cooling comminuted solids, an upright casing having air -inlet openings, rotary beaters in said casing, spaced in a vertical direction and inclined forwardly and downwardly in the direction of rotation so that they tend to retard the passage of the material. through the casing, the respective air inlet openings being located immediate`y below the corresponding beaters so that the beaters serve to draw 4air inwardly and force it upwardly through the comminuted material in opposition to the direction of motion of. the same,;the beat'- ers being forwardly ,disposed at their ends whereby the inward air draft is assisted and the bulk material is kept oil' of the walls of the casing, means for feeding the material tothe casing at the top' of the casingvand discharging it at the bottom. l A

5. In an apparatus for aerating and cooling comminuted solids, an upright casing having air inlet openings at the sides, means for feeding the comminuted material at the top of the casing and discharging it at the bottom,y rotary beaters in said casing, spaced in a vertical direction and hav- Cil ing blades which are transversely inclined forminuted material in opposition to the general direction of," the motion of the same, the casing having wall portions composed of spaced vancs which are inclined outwardly and backwardly as to the direction of rotation of the beater fans, part of said air inlet openings being the spaces b"- tween the vanes. Y l

6. In an apparatus for aerating and cooling the comminuted solids, an upright tubular casing having air inlet openings at the sides, rotary beatand having substantially horizontal rotating blades with means for rotating the blades about ersA in said casing, ,spaced in a vertical direction and having blades whichare inclined forwardly and downwardly in the direction 'of rotation s0 that they tend to retard the progress of the material through the casing, certain of. the air inlet openings being located immediately'adjacent the beaters so that the beaters serve to draw air inwardly and force it upwardly 'through the 4comminuted material in opposition to the general direction of the motion ci the same, the beater blades being forwardly disposed at their ends whereby the inward air draft is ,assisted and the bulk material is kept 0E ofthe Walls of the casing, the casing having wall portionsl composed of vanes which are inclined outwardly and backwardly as to the direction of rotation of the.

beater fans.

'7. In an apparatus for aerating and cooling comminuted solids, an Aupright tubular casing4 terial through the casing, air inlet openings be- A ing located below the beaters so'that the beaters serve to draw air inwardly and force it upwardly through the comminuted material in opposition to the direction of motion of the same, the casing having an inwardly inclined portion near the bottom with a downwardly disposed air inlet openingy at the bottom of said inclined portion. B. In an Aapparatus for aerating and cooling comminuted solid materialsjan upright tubular casing having an air discharge passage at the top,

a fan in said passage with means for operating the same to accelerate the discharge of air,

means for introducing comminuted material to' the casing near the top of 'the casing Aand discharging it at the bottom, beater fans in theA casing spaced'apart in the direction of the axis an upright axis, the casing having passages for admissionV of air below the respective blades.

9,'In `an apparatus for aerating and cooling4 comminuted solid materials, an upright tubular casing having an air discharge passage at the top, a fan in said passage with means for operating the same to accelerate the discharge, means for introducing comminuted material'continuously near the top of the casing, and means for discharging it continuously at the bottom, beater fans in the casing spaced apart in a vertical direction and having substantially horizontal rotating blades with means for rotating the blades about'an upright axis, the casingA having perforations for admission of air immediately below part of the blades, the beater fan blades being downwardly and forwardly inclined to project the material upwardly and retard its down ward passage.

10. In an apparatus for aerating and cooling comminuted solid materials an upright tubular casing having an air discharge passage at the top, a fanin said passage with means for operating it at the bottom,.beater fans insthe casing spaced apart in a vertical direction and having.

substantially horizontal radiating .blades with meansfor rotating the blades about an upright axis, the casing having perforations for admission of air adjacent part of the respective blades, the beater fan blades being downwardly and forwardly inclined to project the -material upwardly and retard its downward passage, the walls of the casing comprising outwardly and rearwardly inclined vanes between which vanes the air openings are formed.

11. In an apparatus for aerating and cooling 1'0 comminuted solid materials an vupright ,tubular casing4 having an air discharge passage at the top, a fan insaid passage with means for operating the same to accelerate the discharge,

means for introducing comminuted material near 15 the top of the casing and passing it downwardly through the casing, beater fans in the casing spaced apart in an upright direction and having substantially horizontal radiating blades' with means for ro ting the blades aboutan upright axis, the casing having perforations for admission of air below one setof blades, the beater fan blades being outwardly and forwardly inclined to project the material upwardly and retard its downward passage, the walls of the casing comprising outwardly and rearwardly inclinelvanes between which vanes the air openings are formed, the beater blades being downwardly and forwardly inclined. L

12. In an apparatus for aerating and cooling comminuted solid materials an upright'tubular casing having an air discharge passage at the D. a fan in said passage with means fcroperating the same to accelerate the discharge, means for introducing comminuted material near the top of the casing and passing'it through the Vcasing, beater fans in the casing spaced apart in the general direction of motion of the material in the ,casing and having sets of substantially horizontal radiating blades with means for rotating the blades about an upright axis, the casing having perforations for admission of air immediately `below each of a plurality of `sets of blades, the beater fan blades being downwardly 4and forwardly inclined to project the material 45 top, a vent in said passage with means for op- 55 erating the same to accelerate the discharge, 1 means for introducing comminuted material vnear the top of the casing and passing it downwardly through the'casing, sets of beater fans in the casing spaced apart .in the direction of passage 60 of the material and having substantially horizontal radiating blades with means for rotating the blades, the casingl having perforations for admission of airv adjacent someof the respective sets of blad, the beater fan blades being downwardly and forwardly inclined to project the material upwardly and retard its downward .pas-

` sage, the walls of the casing comprising outwardly and rearwardly inclined vanes between which vanes some of the airopenings are formed, the "0 beater blades having their ends inclined forwardlly in the direction of rotation.

'- .AUGUSTUS J. SACUTT. 

